Today we were going to explore Paris on the tour bus for the ease of getting around and the audio guide commentary. We woke and made breakfast as usual before heading out on our first major day in Paris.

We went to the bus stop by the Eiffel Tower since it was the closest to us, and shortly a bus arrived. The day was a bit chilly, but luckily no rain so we went on the upper deck with the open roof for a better view. I like these tour buses because you can very easily get from place to place, the routes take you to the sites you want to see and the audio guide gives you a bit of information on what you're looking at.

Before I move on, I must admit that my first impression of the Eiffel Tower was a bit disappointing. Well, not the tower itself but rather the area around it

. The large esplanade/park in front of the tower doesn't have any paving, just dirt trails. It's not bad, it gives the park a nice feel. The problem is that it's not very even, so you feel like you're on a hike or something. It must also be a downside when it rains, as it must get muddy. But all that didn't bother me, just pointing it out. What was a bit disappointing is how dirty the area around the tower was. As you know, there are two restaurants up on the tower, so all the backdoor junk you'd expect from any restaurant is right there, for all the public to see. I'm referring to dumpsters, trash, smells, and even rats! I'm not being picky, it really does shatter the image you have about the tower being all fancy and nice. There's also a lot of construction and trash everywhere. All that aside, the tower is really impressive.

The tour continued and every stop was pretty awesome. I gotta give props to the King's of France for their excellent taste in architecture. If I had been a king back then, I would have built the greatest city on earth! I'm so ambitious when it comes to architecture, my city would've had palaces, castles, and monuments left and right...kind of like Paris does.

My parents and my cousin were a bit disappointed on how dirty the city seemed in general, especially compared to Madrid. They also didn't like how rude drivers were towards pedestrians, also comparing it to Madrid. I didn't care, I was too busy admiring the elegant city. But I do agree with them.

I won't give a play by play of our days in Paris because we saw so much, I think here the pictures can do all the talking... I'll just say that Paris has so much to see and do, and it is all beautiful.